Human trafficking is a severe problem in Thailand. Vulnerable persons are often forced to engage in illegal or unethical work under threats of violence, including child labour, sex slaves, and bonded labour. Some of them become modern slaves. Moreover, there are hundreds of thousands of stateless people in Thailand. Most of them are hill tribes living in remote areas near the border and cannot access the civil rights of education, medical care and social security.
In response to the situation of human trafficking and rampant online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC), CEDAR supports its partner to identify at-risk cases online and assist in the investigation of cyber trafficking cases. Besides, we hold Bible studies with the victims at the Boy’s Shelter and provide them with non-formal education. Our partner works with a community theatre group to develop experiential learning materials on human trafficking and grooming techniques used by online predators and organises teacher training and workshops for teenagers to raise awareness.
To develop the border areas, we support the local minority church network to mobilise local churches and communities to advocate for the land rights of the indigenous people and explore the relationship and practice of Christian belief in managing natural resources. In addition, stateless people in mountainous areas are supported to apply for identity cards via legal pathways, which allows them better access to social protection, education and the right to travel.
